By Peter Sebulime
The Ugandan military has released 9 Rwandan nationals who have been in detention at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) for several months.
Their release was revealed in a statement released by the minister for Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa, which reads thus; “In line with the Luanda Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Republic of Uganda and Republic of Rwanda on normalization of the relations between the two countries, and in the context of the goodwill being exhibited between the two countries;
Government of Uganda has withdrawn charges against nine (9) Rwandese nationals that were undergoing prosecution in the General Court Martial for various charges including among others unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition at the time their cases were coming up for hearing.
The Nine Individuals set free are;
Mr. Mugabo SimonRTD SGT Rene Rutagungira Mr Etienne Nsazabahizi
Mr Claude YakalemyeMr Emmanuel Rwamuchwo
Mr Augustine Rutayisire
CPL Nzeyemana Herman
Mr Munyagabe Adrien
Mr Urayeneza Gilbert
The abovementioned individuals are being handed to Ugandan immigration officials in the presence of the High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda for repatriation back to Rwanda.
It is the hope of the Ugandan Government that Rwandese authorities will reciprocate the gesture of goodwill.
I wish, finally to reiterate Uganda’s commitment to the full normalisation of relations between the two countries and to further assure that any outstanding issues and concerns will be addressed in an open and transparent manner.”
